JI chief criticises budget as "IMF's Slavery Document"

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rahman has strongly criticized the newly presented federal budget, calling it an "IMF's slavery document."

In a scathing response, Hafiz Naeemur Rahman lambasted the Finance Minister's press conference, describing it as a narrative of failures.

"The government has allowed the IMF to intervene in our institutions," said Hafiz Naeemur Rahman, accusing the rulers of lacking the courage to negotiate with the IMF in the nation's best interests.

He also criticized the practice of importing finance ministers into the country, questioning their commitment to Pakistan's economic well-being.

Hafiz Naeemur Rahman highlighted that despite 23 programs from the IMF, there has been no significant improvement in the economy. He dismissed the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) credit in the increase in tax revenue, pointing out that 326 billion rupees were collected from the salaried class.

"The poor have been squeezed by petroleum levies, expensive gas, and electricity bills," he said. Hafiz Naeemur Rahman emphasized that 87% of the tax revenue is allocated to pay off loans and interest, arguing that the economy will not improve as long as there is interest.

He further attributed the high cost of electricity to what he called cruel and anti-people contracts with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), underscoring the need for a fundamental re-evaluation of these agreements to alleviate the financial burden on the public.